Deadly Mahdia fire: Families of 20 children who died to get $5M each

The families of the 20 children who died in the devastating Mahdia dormitory fire in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in May will be receiving $5 million each from the Guyana Government as part of financial support.
A statement from the Legal Affairs Ministry on Monday positioned that from the beginning, the Government made it abundantly clear that it would offer every type of assistance possible and necessary to support the victims and families of the tragic Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory fire.

It comes on the heels of President Dr Irfaan Ali pledging full compensation to the aggrieved families when he engaged family members after the fire.
In the Agreement, Government pledged to continue to offer such support as may be necessary to the victims and their families. Given that public monies are being expended, and recognising that these expenditures will have to be transparently accounted for, the agreements were reduced into writing.
A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will soon be established to probe the events of the deadly fire.
“Thus far, all the affected families engaged have signed agreements. Needless to say, a full report of all monies expended in respect of this tragedy will be made public in due course, as the process is a continuing one. The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) as promised by His Excellency the President will be established, and that Commission of Inquiry will, if it considers necessary, review all the facts and circumstances relating to the event, in accordance with its Terms of Reference,” the statement indicated.
Thus far, medical treatment has been offered both locally and overseas, all transportation to and from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to Georgetown and accommodation in the city were provided, all funeral and related expenses have been paid, and all personal items destroyed in the fire have been purchased and delivered. Psychosocial assistance, including counselling, has also been provided.
The Ministry added, “The Government pledges to continue to offer support and assistance in various ways to enable the families to continue to cope with, and recover from, this horrendous tragedy. In this regard, many family members requested cash which they could use to make purchases that would enhance their ability to continue to provide for their families. In response to these requests, Government offered each family financial assistance, and the families were requested to sign an agreement having received independent legal advice.”
The Government’s pledge to continue to offer assistance to the victims and their families in no way affects the mandate of this intended CoI, Attorney General Anil Nandlall also sought to clarify.

“The Government hopes that the wishes and welfare of the victims of this tragedy are neither exploited nor politicised, and expects that this issue will be accorded the solemnity and dignity which it rightly deserves.”
In the early hours of May 22, the fire had already ripped through the Mahdia school dormitory after being maliciously set by a 15-year-old student.
The fire was allegedly set in the bathroom area of the dormitory. According to the surviving female students, they were asleep and were awakened by screams. Upon checking, they saw fire/smoke in the bathroom area, which quickly spread in the building.
While 19 students and the five-year-old son of the dorm mother perished, others also suffered injuries and smoke inhalation while several managed to escape. (G12)